Plex has released a new desktop app for home streaming – and you can get it now

Plex has released a fully redesigned version of its desktop
software, and it’s available to download
now for your streaming pleasure.

The new app, which is simply called ‘Plex’, will eventually
replace all of the company’s existing desktop software. The
Microsoft Store app has already been decommissioned, and Plex Media
Player will be following suit soon.

The new Plex software features a simplified interface (the
section known as ‘Sync’ is now ‘Downloads’ to minimize confusion),
and the company says that you’ll now get more information about
downloads while they’re in progress.

“It’s a bit of a sneak peek at the direction we’re headed
with offline media across the board (including the mobile apps),”
said the company, “so check it out and let us know how it works for
you!”

No more HTPC

Plex admits that its Microsoft Store app has been “a little
broken for a while now”, and says it’s decided to tie all its
various apps closer together.

However, not all the changes are likely to be welcomed; the new
app no longer supports
Home Theater PC (HTPC). Plex Media Player will continue to
support it for the time being, but as Plex has confirned that it’s
not long for this world.

HTPC has fallen out of favor in recent years with the arrival of
reliable streaming services and smart TVs, but the change will
doubtless frustrate some Plex users who have relied on it since the
software’s early days. If that includes you, you might want to
check out a different option like Kodi, which shows
no signs of giving it up for now.